Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Anti-war documentaries showing at the new anarcho-bookstore/cafe, Firestorm tomorrow (thurs) at 6:30pm.

Discussion to follow with filmmakers and YOU!Firestorm: 86 Patton or 48 Commerce St. its where Eaties cereal bar used to be.

See ya there!

The details of the films:

Asheville goes to War: Directed by local hero Shane Perlowin, starring the people of Asheville with music by The Black Lung Brass Band and the Ahleuchatistas. Asheville Goes to war is a feature-length documentary depicting events in Asheville at the start of the most recent Iraq war in 2003.

See your friends in a movie!

SHUTDOWN documents a piece of the continuous struggle towards social justice. Using the March 20, 2003 occupation and disruption of the San Francisco Financial District as a case study, the film casts a thoughtful eye on one of the most successful actions of the current anti-war movement, facilitated by Direct Action to Stop the War (DASW). Created to gain insight, inspire, and draw lessons the movie tells the story of how social justice organizers and everyday people came together to plan and shut down the financial district of a major US city.

The film includes details of what made the action successful, followed by reflections from DASW participants on the many obstacles and failings of the organizing model and organizing culture (broken into themes such as race and gender inequality, lack of long-term strategy, and police repression).

Using interviews, video shot by activists, news footage, photos, fliers and newspaper articles from the time of the events Shutdown exhibits the excitement, outrage, and drama on the streets in the Spring of 2003 as the US Government escalated its war on Iraq.xojodimy life in cake

Friday, June 20, 2008

It's always a little bittersweet, because I love summer, and solstice means that the days are going to start getting shorter, and we're heading back towards winter. I know that's how the cycle goes, and that's ok, but I'm such a summertime person, I really miss it when its gone. Hmm... it makes me want to bake something tasty in the shape of the sun... something round like a... cake! For history and ideas on how to celebrate Solstice/Midsummer/St. John's Day,check out the School of the Seasons.

OK friends, this is a big weekend! Here's some things going on of note (ahem... that also involve cupcakes from Short Street Cakes)On Friday: Asheville Fashion Conspiracy!

AFC is an organization "Taking Action for Fashion: Building Economy and Community by Marketing Asheville's Independent Designers" Check it out! And all weekend long: Ashevillage Building Convergence

"ABC 2008 is the exciting inaugural three-day collaboration and celebration of sustainability for the city, the land, and the people of Asheville. ABC features: an Opening Celebration & Benefit Night with not-to-be-missed presentation, local music & finger food; an action-oriented Ashevillage Town Meeting with nationally renowned presenters and local pioneers; Ashevillage In Action Day, with 14 hands-on sustainability projects throughout the city; a summer solstice celebration, community potlucks, local music and arts, closing ceremonies, and much more."

Saturday, the historic Shiloh neighborhood celebrates the completion of the community pavilion and garden from 12-4.

This is an event organized by Slow Food Asheville. I know the Joys of Pizza and Cupcakes- my two staple foods. Come out and support the work of Slow Food Asheville. Thanks to the very good people of the West End Bakery for hosting.Also, two great businesses are having their opening parties on Sunday:

Custom will hold a grand opening on Sunday, June 22, at 7 p.m., featuring catered food, drinks, and a DJ. Custom, located at 415A Haywood Road, is open Sunday and Monday from noon to 6 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call the store at 257-4007.

And also on Sunday, the fabulous new Dragon Lady Salon, owned by my friend Erin Hardy, hosts its Grand Opening Party at 50 McCormick Place (just at the bottom of the hill off of Biltmore Ave). Opening goes from 6-10pm. There will be beer and wine, catered menu, and a DJ. And, of course, cupcakes. Contact Dragon Lady: 828.252.8022 or dragonl8y@gmail.comLove,Jodi

Monday, June 16, 2008

These Cupcake vintage-y fabric button bobby pins by Early Girl(no relation to the restaurant)They showed up in my mailbox one day! Thank you Early Girl!ps. I think her etsy shop is closed for the summer, so be patientif you want to get the goods! [update: she will be at The Big Crafty, Grey Eagle, July 13]

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Hello Friends Far and Near!I hope this lovely June finds you all well.I am writing to give y'all an update on the status of the much-anticipated Short Street Cakes Cakeshop. As many of you know, I have been in discussion with the owners of the building at 428 Haywood Road in West Asheville for some time now about creating a cakeshop there, across from Harvest Records in the newly burgeoning neighborhood fondly referred to as "East-West Asheville." Well, friends, it is not to be. It turns out that it is just not the right fit for a food/coffee establishment, and I think it has been rented to a design company. But! Do not dispair! This is actually very good news. For one, I am really grateful for the experience and knowledge I gained from working hard to negotiate a lease. And for two, it means that the PERFECT spot for Short Street Cakes' Cakeshop has yet to be found! So- are you an East-West Ashevillian hankering for a cupcake? keep your eyes peeled for the perfect spot and give me a heads up! Or perhaps you think that the perfect spot is on Lexington? Or down by the river? Or right here at home in Montford? Where do YOU want a cakeshop? Let me know. I'm all ears, and I'm really excited to expand my capacity and have a shop to see all your lovely faces in. In the meantime, its June, which means Wedding Season Craziness, so I'm actually a little relieved to not be working on a lease right this minute and to instead focus on making beautiful cakes right here on Short Street. And in July and August, as we look for the perfect spot, I'll be happy to catch up on some long-overdue work, like updating my menu with new and exciting flavors, putting pretty pictures and ideas on my blog, and maybe even taking a hike and a swim or two with Jasper and Duncan. Thank you, as always, for your love and support. Short Street Cakes started as a small creative project and now is a growing and thriving business! And I could not have done it without my family, my friends, my community, and my baker colleagues! Y'all are the best. I'm one lucky cake lady.Much Love,xoJodips I've attached a picture of a wedding cake I did last weekend at Lake Lure. Floral design by Aria Floral Design Studio, www.blueridgeflowers.com. They're the best! This picture features one of their fabulous floral designers, Merideth Law.